I feel so down today. My neighbors have the most beautiful long-haired outside cat. He is a love bug and everyone in the neighborhood loves him. He is about 7 years old. Now the key here is "outside cat".

Last night, we were walking our dog. It hit 99 degrees yesterday, so we were trying to get our girl out after it cooled some. A neighbor down our street came to me and asked if I knew whose owned "Kitty", because Kitty was sick. This neighbor is like us, kind, caring and loves animals. Her house was one that Kitty enjoyed spending time (there are 3 main houses where Kitty hangs out). Kitty was in the drive way, lethargic, breathing heavily with his mouth open. He had obvious fluid in the abdomen. His pink nose was nearly white. We both knew this was a dire, emergency situation. My neighbor asked if I would go with her to the owner's house (once I told her where the cat lived). We brought the owner to the cat and kept saying how sick he seemed and how worried we were. I made sure to tell about the emergency vet clinics in the area--stressing that Kitty seemed to be in distress and needed help. My neighbor took Kitty and put him in the garage and said she'd get him to the vet "tomorrow" after she took family to the airport.

My neighbors aren't horrible people, but they just don't put a priority on pets. I wish everyone could value these sweet, gentle creatures the way I do; the way I know that you folks do. It hurts so much and it isn't my cat. But he was my friend. I know he won't pull through this. I know cats get in really bad shape before we know they are sick. I know the family won't spend the money or time to help him (if possible). It is sad, but I'm really hoping they will euthanize him so he won't suffer--if he didn't pass last night. It is such a helpless feeling. I can't take a neighbor's pet to the ER and spend thousands. I can't euthanize my neighbor's cat.

I really believe that cats should be inside, but know that there are farm situations, etc. that let it be more acceptable for cats to be out--this isn't one of those cases. I just feel that this sweet heart could have lead a long life of luxury if he had been inside where he could be treasured and cherished. I'm just feel sad and helpless. I can't have a cat, so I really enjoyed this cat's company. for the sweet kitty I called "Fuzzy Tail".

Thanks, and sorry. I can't help crying about this. I knew you folks would understand. I just feel .

It's hard to read without choking up. People (the majority of pet lovers I mean) would not treat their dogs like this but they seem to feel it's acceptable for cats. It pisses me off big time to read stories like this but we do. All the time.
I pray the kitty passed quickly or the human at least had the decency to take him to the vet to be euthanized. Poor sweetie.

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Assumptions do nothing but make an ass out of u and me.

We can stick our heads in the sand for only so long before it starts choking us. Face it folks. The pet population is bad ALL OVER THE WORLD!

Call your local humane society and make a report. They can go out and issue an order that they have to take their cat to a vet.

I agree. Hopefully the humane society in your area will act very quickly.

Also, I know there is just so much we can do, but as a concerned neighbour who knew the cat was very ill, it would not be out of line to knock on their door to enquire how the kitty is doing today. If there is reason to believe that they have still not sought treatment for the kitty then call the humane society immediately. That is what I would do.

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"The animals share with us the privilege of having a soul." -Pythagoras
"The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different." -Hippocrates
"Let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world." -Jack Layton
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi

Kitty was still alive this morning and was going to the vet. A family member who didn't know Kitty was ill, thought he wanted to go outside and opened the door for him. Kitty is now sick and missing.

I've searched my property and will be alerting neighbors. I fear he has wandered off to die. Why won't people use the vet ERs? I can sort of understand if this was a rural area without any afterhours facilities, but we have several. My neighbor is concerned, but her husband does not like cats and would not "let" them take the cat to the ER (regular vet is OK). Sorry, but I would not ask, but I'm an independent-minded cuss.

We aren't allowed to let our dogs wander free and unattended, but it is OK for cats? Why do cats have a lesser perceived "worth"? Why didn't they take the cat to the damn vet? I thought we were doing the right thing letting the owners know he was sick. Why do I assume that others will do the right thing because I would? I could have just walked by--it isn't my cat. But I'm the one who is torn up because even though it isn't my cat, it is a precious living creature that needs help.

We have lots of controversy over our county's animal control--we had an officer shoot a non-vicious pit that was running away from him because he had spent too much time chasing it and it was a pit. Weapon discharged in a neighborhood with children present.

This whole situation makes me feel ill. Poor Kitty.... Thanks for listening. I do fear the worst for my kitty friend. I'm going to go walk the neighborhood. It is 100 degrees out right now.

Is your county animal control department separate from your humane society? In the states alot are..and their animal control department do not have animal cruelty investigators. The humane society does.

Just from their comment of oh i'll talk him tomorrow, should have been a red flag. If you find the cat, take him to a vet. Let them know that you are not the owner of this animal, yet this animal has been in distress for x number of days, yet the owners are doing nothing about it. The vet odds are will contact the humane society.

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"The animals share with us the privilege of having a soul." -Pythagoras
"The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different." -Hippocrates
"Let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world." -Jack Layton
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi

Kitty is at the vet. I don't know the outcome, but Kitty is getting care. I went to update my kind neighbor down the street and saw Kitty under a tree in her yard. We talked for a couple of minutes and I asked her to come with me to the neighbor's to return the cat. Kitty's color was a little better, but he still seemed to have trouble breathing and seemed to still have fluid in the abdomen. I picked up Kitty and carried him down the street and handed him to the neighbor. I talked to Kitty's owner and saw him in the carrier as she was taking him to the vet.

I have done what I can. I don't know the outcome, but I know if Kitty is suffering the owner will do the right thing for him. Thank you all for your care and concern--it is appreciated. I know you will understand my level of concern for an animal that isn't mine. Most people would tell me to tend to my own business.

Oh thank god!!!!! I was scared to open this post again, and I'm so relieved to read this. to you for helping this poor cat out. that he gets the help he needs and makes a full recovery from whatever is ailing him, or at the very least is relieved of his suffering.

ScottiDog,I do understand how you feel,neglectful owners have caused me to react more than once.
I hope this kitty will be ok,if not,at least humanely sent to the Bridge.
Looking at my boys(cats)snoozing contently,I will never understand how people do not see cats as the wonderful little family-members they are

Scottydog, thank you for helping to ensure that Kitty got the help he needed.

Lets hope now for a good outcome for Kitty. Cats can be very resilient and, whatever is wrong, it may very well be something treatable. Hopefully if it is, the owners will be willing to spend what is necessary to help him to get better. That part is out of your hands.

Please keep us updated when you learn more and again, thank you.

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"The animals share with us the privilege of having a soul." -Pythagoras
"The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different." -Hippocrates
"Let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world." -Jack Layton
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi

Do you know how many times I have asked that exact same question? Most of the time in here!

Thank you for being this kitty's angel. No matter what the outcome you helped facilitate it

I hope kitty makes it and thanks to you. I am amazed by the amount of people that let there cats run free. I live in downtown TO and there are so many just running around do the owners just not care. I would never let my dog run loose. I am so glad the cat owners here love there kittys and don't let them run free. Thank you

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Robin
A dog has so many friends because they wag their tails not their tongues.
R.I.P. Buddy 2002-2008 The best Mastiff ever.
Now owned by Clark the Crazy American Bulldog

My Fuzzy friend has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. His owners had him put to sleep at the vet. He had severe heart failure and fluid around his heart and lungs. I feel bad that my actions caused him to be PTS, but he isn't suffering and that is what is important. The family did not realize how bad his condition was and is shocked by his loss. Kitties are fragile and it is hard to monitor an outside kitty's health. I do think this problem came on suddenly because there were other families watching out for the big boy.

We had all hoped for a better outcome but never doubt that you did the right thing. With congestive heart failure his lungs would have continued to fill up with fluid and he would have died a very painful death gasping for his last breath, probably all alone out there somewhere.

Thank you for helping to make it possible for him to be relieved of his suffering before it became too great.

How very very sad ScottieDog. Please do not feel any guilt about this whatsoever. At least the cat is not suffering a horrible death. Had you not seen him in this condition, he would have died terribly.

God speed little one. You had an Angel looking out for you.....and that would be ScottieDog. Bless your heart.

RIP kitty. I am thinking that they cat had servrere heat stock, which caused his body/heart to shut down. Heat stoke can be very fatal to an animal in a extremely short time. I hope these owners do not get another cat. But they will.

Oh I'm so sad to read this. You need to give yourself a break...you didn't do ANYTHING to cause the death of that poor baby. He would have suffered in the heat and died a long laborious death without you.

Thank you all. I really do not think the cat was in serious condition for a long time. He had three other "families" that watched out for him. I think any of us would have noticed if he had shown signs earlier. I keep telling myself that at least.

He was a happy cat. You could tell that. His real family did provide him with the basics--food, shelter, basic medical care (he was neutered, tattooed, brushed, no fleas). He just sought affection from others. I think he knew he was loved. This isn't saying that he wouldn't have been a happy inside cat if given that chance from his kitten days.

Any lessons learned? No, not a one. I will still care too much. I will still butt my nose in where it maybe shouldn't be. And Jim, I do know what you mean. I don't think there will be any changes in behavior. Know that where I live this is common treatment for outdoor cats--and there are many. At least I know I did make a small difference in one special kitty's life.

I thank you all. I know my little friend is at peace. And I know that you all understand.